The Animal Welfare League is very pleased that the Companion Animal & Consumer Protection Ordinance has passed. It commends City Clerk Susana Mendoza, and the animal advocates, for taking a stand to protect city animals and consumers. We believe that these measures are long overdue and they are definitely stepping stones to address a multitude of animal abuse issues that plague our systems.

Our shelter works with dozens of local Petsmart, Petco and Pet Supplies Plus stores already promoting shelter pet adoptions. We are open to hearing from retail stores that would be interested in partnering with us to save more lives. And, that’s exactly what this Ordinance does… Save More Lives. It has brought the reality of puppy mills to life for those that had no idea. It has shed light on the plight of shelter animals and for many, that’s a real eye-opener.

Consumers need to be educated on shelter animals. They are not second hand trash; they’ve done nothing wrong. Animal shelters did not create the problem of over-populations; society has. Now, society has the chance to turn that around. Shelter animals can now have more opportunities to get a second chance. We can increase adoptions and decrease euthanasia.

Consumers who had purchased animals from retail stores had no idea that these animals were from puppy mills or from what horrid conditions they came. Illinois animal shelters give consumers full medical disclosures to their adopters so there are no surprises. What you see is what you get.